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George - Retief Goosen kept the media happy on Saturday as he catered wonderfully to our two great loves for good wine and quality golf.
Goosen invited the media to his Upper Langkloof Valley wine farm, which is on the way to Uniondale from George, to sample some of his terrific Goose and Gander wines, as well as hit some drives off an elevated tee towards a dam.
Having been treated to delicious tastes of Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon blend, Shiraz and port, the media then returned to the Fancourt Links to watch Goosen make his way around the course in three-under-par 70, one of the best rounds on a blustery, rainy day.
We were most impressed by the rich complexities and elegant finish of his wines - thanks to the unique climate of the Upper Langkloof, the grapes ripen much later than elsewhere in the Cape and the annual average temperature is only 17 degrees - but Goosen himself was extremely irritated by his finish on the golf course on Saturday.
The two-time major champion finished par-bogey-par to end the third round on nine-under, just one shot behind leaders Branden Grace and Nicolas Colsaerts.
"It was a very poor finish. The last three holes were as easy as we'll ever see it here, they were straight downwind, so to be one-over on them feels like making three bogeys.
"The last three holes should really be played in under-par, but I failed to get up-and-down from a bunker on 16, chose the wrong club on 17 and then hit a poor second on 18," Goosen said.
The closing holes aside, The Goose was satisfied with his position heading into the final round.
"The first six or seven holes were really tough today, but I played nice and solid. On some holes today, par was a very good score," Goosen said.
The bottles of Goose Sauvignon Blanc, Goose Expression, Gander Shiraz and Quinto do Sul Port we sampled were also very good and the future seems bright for Goosen the winemaker if the golfing lark doesn't pay the bills!
